Bridge



Aug. 2 1927. 1 1,637,787

- G. SCHMID BRIDGE Filed. Dec. 17. 1923 4 6 WIIIl/m INVENTOR. G50 GE saw/W0 ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 2, 1927.

UNITED sTATEs GEORGE SCHMID, or NE YORK, N. Y.

BRIDGE.

Application filed December 17, 1923. serierne. 681,245.

This invention relates to bridges for stringed musical instruments and has for its object to provide, what maybe termed a practice bridge wherein the tone of the strings may be subdued to a minimum degree.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a practice bridge adapted for use on 'violins' and other stringed instruments without interfering with bowing, said bridge being preferably constructed of soft metal, such as lead, whereby the vibration of the strings and the soundemitted is reduced to a minimum for practice purposes.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlying features of my invention that they may embodythe same in the various modifications in structure and relation contemplated, drawings depicting a preferred formhave been annexed as a part of this disclosure and in such drawings, similar reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout all the views of which, Figure 1 is a vertical section through the head and base of the bridge showing the supporting post connecting the same.

Figure 2 is a view of the base and the supporting post of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 3 is a modified form of the invention.

Figure 4 is a modified form of insert for the head. I

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are various modified formsv of heads and inserts for different stringed instruments. 7

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, my novel and improved bridge is constructed preferably of metal which will absorb the vibration of the strings thus reducing the volume of the tone emitted and having adjustablefeatures which permit of the raising and lowering of the bridge head to obtain different volumes of sound. It will be understood from the beginning that the bridge may be made in various sizes for use on different types of stringed instruments and that the design may be altered to suit different conditions that may exist depending upon the character of the instrument. The bridge is composed of two parts, namely the head, or upper part 5 and the lower part or base 6. Both of these parts are preferably made of lead, solder, spelter, Babbitt head 17 is mit the strings to rest in the grooves 9' at the desired position. a

The supporting post 10 is constructed of highly tempered steel, which reduces the vibrations of the strings to a minimum without sacrificing strength and is preferably threaded for a portion of its length as indicated at 11 and extends through a thimble 12 inserted within the bottom of the head above referred to. The thimble is preferably formed with lugs 13, which prevent the rotation or turning of the head with to the thimble. The head is also provided respect 'or anyother soft metal which will absorb with a reduced cap portion 14 to permit the sounding post to freely pass therein as the head is being lowered. The supporting post is preferably formed integral with a square,

. flat-foot portion 15 within the body of the base adjacent the top thereof. A stabilizing and locking washer 16, threaded on the post isadapted to bear against the under surface or bottom face of the bell-shaped head 7 so as to prevent the head from being distorted by reason of the downward pressure of the strings of the instrument.

In F igure- 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the base (i is similar to the base shown by Figure 1 with the addition that the spherical shaped feet 16 permit the base to be raised somewhat from the body of the instrument when the bridge is positioned, it being observed that the supporting post and the flat foot are the same as that-shown in the-above figure.

In Figure 3 of the drawings, the square also provided with an insert 18 of spelter but in this form of the invention two supporting posts 19, 20, similarly threaded as the supporting post 10, are provided and the feet of said posts are imbedded in lead casts 21, 22. The vertical'caps23, 24, permit the'post and the casts to be threaded in the thimbles consequently raising and lowering of the head 17 to the desiredrdegree to lessen or increase the volume of sound. In this form of the invention 't will also be seen that thevthimble and stabi izing washers are provided for the obvious purppses as above describedin go eotiqnlwitl igure 1 of the drawings. In iures 4, 5, 6 and 7, 'I have shown various esi ns of bridge heads such as the circular-shaped head 28, 29, is provided with a spelterinsert frusto-conical top edge 27 whereas in Fig- -ures 5 and 6, a squareand triangular shaped 'I realize. that in practice. variousialterations therein may be made. I therefore reserve the rightand privilege of changing the -form of the details of construction or otherwise altering the arrangement of the correlated parts without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the appended claim.

,Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is A bridge for musical instruments comprislng ahead havinga groove therein, a string supporting piece in said groove, sa dhead ihaving a bore therein, a sleeve in the bore,

projections on the sleeve. for preventing turning movement thereof, a threaded spindle operable through said sleeve to raise and lower the head, a base, an. enlarged foot memher on the spindle positioned in said base a lock nut on the spindle for maintaining the head in its adjusted position.

-In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GEoR E-soHMrD. a 3. 

